Friday, May 30, 2008

I RECEIVED THE BELOW E-MAIL FROM LaNORMA (Norma Dinelli Wilson) of "La Nostra Costa" fame. It contains a wealth of information about all those 'Amici della Costa'.

Caro Ivano & Gino:I am addressing this to you Ivano but it is also for Gino. In response to e-mail of Nov. l7, 2007(sorry it took me so long but I filed it in a safe place and forgot it and came across it today!!)Scusa!! First of all I really want to acknowledge and say how much I appreciate and enjoyGino’s Italanglish and of course the Italian. I have forgotten so much and you both bring itBack out of my “storage computer”. I miss speaking Italian and of course miss the “oldtimers”So much. I love talking to Flora Bargiacchi Anecito as she is a wealth of info on the old daysAnd of course we speaka Italiano.

I had some names and info to add to the list of Nostra Costa familynames. I made a fewCorrections as I thought they might be - between us all we will get it l00%. It is so great havingSuch teamwork. Our folks are very proud of us all – I am sure!!

Bargiacchi, Giulio and Emma – parents of Don but also Mary Bargiacchi Condon.Bertacca, Teresa (Patty Morelli’s great grandmother and grandmother of Evelyn Morelli)Same name as her daughter Evelyn Morelli Tambellini Marchi (Augusto)Teresa was very instrumental in a suit against the Cement Company with several ranchersBecause of the cement dust. They won the suit – can furnish details and also a foto of her atLaguna with several Italians including the Battistinis when she became a UScitizen .Bertolli, Italo and Mamie (Stefani ?) – parents of Teresa Darling and NeldaDeLuca, Amerigo etc. - I think it is spelled with only one C not two.In reference to the tragic accident – in addition to the DeLuca’s deaths – also their twoNeighbors died – husband and wife – think they were Portuguese – name escapes me at theMoment.Costella, ? cement contractor (many sidewalks in Santa Cruz have their name stamped on them)Daughter Irene Costella married Penniman – mother of Warren “Aldo” PennimanDel Chiaro, Pia and “Tripoli” – parents of Diana Petrolino and son Fred.Dell”Orfanello, Landa & ? - parents of Eva Quilici and Betty DelChiaroFranceschini, Francesco – remember my parents talking about his injuries.In reference to the Marina Ranch - Did Alessandro DelChiaro and Dante Dinelli have a share at one time?When? It is located above the hill where the S.Grossi Ranch was on the Coast Rd.Garibotti, Dr. - Was the story that he ate the mushrooms at a dinner at one of the ranches? His son is still inSanta Cruz – Patty Morelli talked to him last year. He was a building contractor. Also Mary Joan RodriguezWorked for Dr. Garibotti and/or Dr. Franes McKay his wife. She lives in Scotts Valley and has some info about them.Puccinelli, Armando – nickname “Fumetto” Was cook for the S. Grossi Ranch (partner D.Dinelli and Bruno Rodoni)Moceo is spelled with o not an a – father of Ralph MoceoMarchi, Augusto and Evelyn (Bertacca) – Teresa’s daughter – also Ali Bertacca and Patty’s grandmother Gilda (Evelyn Morelli’sMother) Married Collins and then divorced.Morelli, Mac and Evelyn – parents of Mac and Patty and also Margo and Carol. (Margo died in l964?) at a young age.Neri, Quinto and Elvira parents of Laura. Also owner of property at Gulch Ranch with Joe Antonetti.Quinto Neri and Pete Rinaldi and Americo Presepi started what is now known as Rodoni Ranch. They brought Dante Rodoni in as a partner as he was married to Andreina who was Pete’s niece. Rina Rinaldi is Dante Rodoni’sSister.Pieracci I think is spelled this way – think I am correct – check it out – always a possibility I am wrong!!Perlino – the chicken people – when his wife died in 2002 she left 4 million dollars to many charities. ChickensPaid off!!!Pollastrini – can’t remember their first names – parents of Christine Walker (Ray Walker’s wife)Pera, Alberto – there were two by the same name: nickname: “il Brown” (don’t know the Italian spelling)Worked for the PianavillasNickname: “Villa” worked for S. Grossi and Lorenzi ranchesGrossi, Settimo and Inez Fistolera – parents of Ida and Lea (Lambert)Presepi, Amerigo and Luisa – also partners in what is now known as Rodoni ( see Neri)Rinaldi, Ulisse – father of Martha Oneto and ? (divorced wife Bruna)Scoppettone – Harpers Bizarre member was Dick. His brother Jim (Painter) lived in house in Scotts ValleyWhere Alfred Hitchcock lived – (either Jim or Dick?)Chiesa, ? and ? - parents of Ann Moye(?) - caretakers for Alfred Hitchcocks place in Scotts ValleyTori – yes Il Trovatore Hotel was place for all occasions including weddings, lst Communions, Confirmation, etc etc.Ivano asked about a bar on Pacific Ave. named Manhatten – yes it was across from Zoccoli’s and owned byDanny Cavadias – a Greek – father of Marios and Georgia who were Holy Cross studentsGino – do you remember the bridge going across the railroad tracks from the Coast Road at the Lorenzi Ranch?I think this is it – I will think of the names I couldn’t come up with or maybe when you see the info the names willCome to you.I sure appreciate the list – what a memory – I could fill in the blanks but that was a great job and memory work compilingSuch a treasured list. Thanks again for sharing – thank you Ivano and Gino for all your info. LOVE IT!!!Grazie – be in touch.Ciao per ora – La Norma

FOR THIS MEMORIAL WEEKEND, I THOUGHT I WOULD PUBLISH AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED FROM GINO CAMPIONI. IN IT HE REMINISCES ABOUT SOME POLICE OFFICERS HE KNEW DURING HIS LIFE TIME. ONE IS CHARLES DERBY WHO WAS A MEMBER OF THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA', I WRITE HOW INFLUENTIAL OFFICER (LATER SERGEANT) DERBY WAS ON MY OWN POLICE CAREER. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE A PHOTO OF CHARLES DERBY, OR I WOULD HAVE PUBLISHED IT WITH GINO'S ARTICLE. AS A SUBSTITUTE I CHOSE TO PUBLISH A PHOTO OF WHAT WAS CERTAINLY PART OF OFFICER DERBY'S LEGACY, THE TRAFFIC BOYS AND GIRLS OF LAUREL SCHOOL. AS I WRITE IN THE BOOK, OFFICER DERBY SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TRAINING US FOR OUR ENDEAVORS AT THE SCHOOL. IT PAID OFF! WE WON TWO FIRST PLACE TROPHY'S AT THE YEAR END BBQ HELD AT DELAVEAGA PARK IN SANTA CRUZ. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES OFFICER DERBY AND YOU ALSO GINO.

Hello Ivano,

I am coming to the end of reading La Nostra Costa for the second time, and last night read the part about your police career. That prompted me to send you some thoughts about some lawmen I have known.

I do remember officer Derby, having seen him several times at school. I may have been in a class on traffic safety or something. He made frequent appearances at Mission Hill School.

Did you know Officer Dennis Finnegan? He made an imposing figure riding his police Harley, sitting straight in the saddle as if he were in a parade. I certainly admiredhim.

Another policeman who lived just up the street from me was Officer Ray Carpenter. He rode bikes too. One day he was after someone and drove down a hill and had to make a wide right turn onto Beach Street, and ran head-on into a pickup driven by his neighbor John Strohbien. (air raid warden years before) Ray was thrown over the windshield and into the bed of the truck. He suffered a back injury and could not ride motorcycles afterward.

I know I already told you of my meeting with Captain Klein at the corner of Race and Park in San Jose. Partly because of his understanding and partly from my apologetic behavior, my failing to see the stop light only resulted in receiving a request from the traffic court of "Fine $1. Bail $1". I paid it with gratitude.

Bob King was a member of Santa Cruz Police Dept. I met him at the Santa Cruz County Model Airplane Club. I had built a model Piper Tripacer airplane, and wanted to give it a fine finish. Bob offered to paint it for me, and did a fine job. He lived not far from me, perhaps on Seaside St. One day, while driving on Bay St. past Seaside, I had a police car behind me with flashing lights. On stopping I found that it was Officer Bob. (nothing wrong. He just wanted to talk about model airplanes)

You would not know this one, but may have known of his doings: Stanley O. Nicolayson was a member of California Highway Patrol in Los Angeles. He rode police motorcycles. He had an accident while riding his bike, and severely injured his back. He was not able to continue as a CHP Officer. While recuperating, he pondered what he might do to earn a living by other means. He had always liked Mexican food, and decided to make it more available to the general public at reasonable prices. He started a restaurant which became popular so he added others and these spread throughout the Western United States. He called his business, "Taco Bell".Stan also has other businesses in Oregon. (S.O.N. Enterprises) He is involved in many operations. I first met him when he and I were members of the Salem Fourth Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I used to sit next to him at choir rehearsals. More recently he was called to be a member of the presidency of the Portland Temple.

This one you might have known: Merlin Ellis was a tall and heavy officer. (I don't think he would have done well on motorcycles) He was an expert on firearms, and rented a room in the shop where Gerhard Schreiber and I worked. He rebored and balanced police pistols so that (in his own words) they became WEAPONS! He also was keen on home built helicopters. He built one with a Lycoming engine, parts from a wrecked Piper Cub, bits and scraps, etc. It never flew, which was fortunate. A ground test of the thing nearly did him in.

I used to take my lunch to work in a paper bag and leave it on a counter. Occasionally I would come back from service calls at noon and find my lunch gone. Merlin was hungry! I got a bit tired of that trick, so knowing he did not like pickles, I fixed a lunch with a sandwich loaded with peperoncini. That day I came in for lunch and found a sandwich with one bite out of it. He never stole my lunch again.

Merlin drove his police car onto my driveway one day. He said that a lady several blocks away was having severe TV interference from my radio. I don't know how it was determined that it was my radio that was causing the problem, but we went to look. (my only ride in a police car) It was a customer of Paul Pay's Rainbow TV shop. I had worked on that TV shortly before. I checked the service information for that set. (an ancient GE black & white table model) It had a main amplifier string operating on 21 Megahertz. Exactly the frequency range on which I ran my radio. (legal frequencies for amateur radio, no longer being used for any other purpose) There was no way to keep a 21 MHz signal out of a 21 MHz receiver. The customer did not understand and was very upset. The TV solved the problem. Shortly thereafter, it self-destructed. She couldn't blame me for that. (although she might have thought so)

Sunday, May 18, 2008

IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) I WRITE HOW THE ITALIANS 'SU PER LA COSTA' (AND I PRESUME ELSEWHERE) ITALIANIZED CERTAIN AMERICAN WORDS. FOR INSTANCE, THE RANCERI CALLED THE SHOVEL 'LA SHAVOLA' (scia'vo la). I HAVE SINCE ADOPTED 'LA SHAVOLA' AS THE SYMBOL OF THE BAGNATORI WHO USED TO IRRIGATE THE FIELDS UP THE COAST BY THE HAND AND SHOVEL METHOD. THE ARTICLE BELOW, "BORROWED" FROM: http://www.policybers.com/ TELLS YOU ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT 'LA SHAVOLA".

Shovel with wide blade - especially appropriate for lifting snow or coalA shovel is a tool for lifting and moving loose material such as coal, gravel, snow, dirt, or sand. It is usually a hand tool consisting of a broad blade with edges or sides that is fixed to a medium-length handle. The term "shovel" is also applied to larger excavating machines, such as steam shovels, which are designed for the same purpose—lifting and moving material, see Loader (equipment).Hand shovels have been adapted for many different tasks and environments. They can be optimized for a single task or designed as cross-over or compromise tools to perform multiple tasks. For example:A coal shovel typically has a wide, flat blade with steeply turned sides, a flat face and a short D-shaped handle.A snowshovel often has a very wide sideless blade that curves upward attached to a long, straight handle. It is designed as much for pushing the snow as for lifting it.A spade is designed primarily for breaking up ("spading") clumps of soil. A spade usually has a point and is designed to be pushed into the soil with a foot. Spade blades usually have a rounded face without sharply upturned sides.A gardening trowel is a small single-hand implement for breaking up clumps in soil. Gardening trowels typically have strong, narrow blades with sharp points.An entrenching tool is a collapsible shovel designed for the military. It may have a spade-like point or even serrated edges for secondary use as an axe.A regular, but dirty, spade shovel.The traffic signs warning of a Work zone or Construction site generally show a person operating a shovel.Toy shovels are common playthings on sandy beachs or in sandboxes.Wikimedia Commons has media related to:cs:LopataSearch Term: "Shovel"Categories: Mechanical hand tools Gardening toolsshovel news and shovel articlesHere's our top rated shovel links for the day:Some divine intervention in real estateAkron Beacon Journal - 2 hours, 17 minutes agoRandy Moore jumped on the shovel with both feet, and the blade pierced the earth. ``It's supposed to be buried 8 inches deep and upside down,'' said Carla Herbert, owner of Harvest Home Realty, who has Randy and Beth Moore's $149,900 Cape Cod on the market.Kids flourish as blossoms flowerBar Harbor Times - Oct 09 10:25 PMTREMONT Tiny Alahna Mild wields a shovel almost as long as she is tall.

Son of Italian immigrants farms background for bookSanta Cruz Sentinel - Oct 09 5:08 AMWith shovel in hand and old-country hat on head, Ivano Comelli re-enacted a scene of what it was like to be an Italian farmer in Santa Cruz County at the start of the Depression in the late 1920s.

Friday, May 09, 2008

ATTENTION BLAGGA FANS!! IF YOU WANT TO GET THE GIRLS, YOU GOTTA KNOW WHERE TO GO! IVANO DIAVOLINO RECOMMENDS THE GUGLIELMO WINERY, SATURDAY,MAY 17,2008. SEE DETAILS BELOW:

BOTTLE YOUR OWN RED WINE: GUGLIELMO’S CORK EQUITY DAY #20,SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008 – 10 AM – 3 PM. ‘RAIN OR SHINE.’CORK EQUITY n: Definition: A method of saving big money by getting hands on involvement assisting in the bottling, corking and labeling of your own premium wine. Nearly six thousand wine lovers have turned up at our cellar door on Cork Equity Day looking for a great bottle of wine at a great price. Few have been disappointed! Don’t miss your chance to meet some friends, have some fun, hear some great Italian music, enjoy our complimentary bread and cheese, plus earn access to our Chef's Table featuring or famous grilled sausages with purchase of a case or more.

DIRECTIONS: FROM SAN JOSE TAKE HWY 101 TO E.DUNNE AVE OFF RAMP. TURN LEFT ON E.DUNNE AVE. PROCEED ACROSS HWY 101 OVER-PASS TO CONDIT RD.(2ND STOP LIGHT). TURN LEFT ON CONDIT RD AN PROCEED NORTH 0.8MI TO E.MAIN AVE.(NEXT STOP LIGHT). TURN RIGHT ON E.MAIN AVE. AND PROCEED APPROXIMATELY 1/2MI TO WINERY ON YOUR RIGHT. (LIVE OAK HIGH SCHOOL IS ACROSS THE STREET.)------FROM: SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE-SALINAS-GILROY, GET ON HWY 101 AND PROCEED NORTH TO E.DUNNE AVE. OFF RAMP. TURN RIGHT ON E. DUNNE AVE TO CONDIT RD (FIRST STOP LIGHT). TURN LEFT ON CONDIT RD. AND PROCEED NORTH 0.8MI TO E.MAIN AVE.(NEXT STOP LIGHT.) TURN RIGHT ON E.MAIN AVE. AND PROCEED ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO THE WINERY ON YOUR RIGHT.BUONA FORTUNA E SEMPRE AVANTI.

About Me

Born the youngest son of Immigrant parents from the Friuli Region in Northeastern Italy, I was raised on a "rancio" on the North Coast of Santa Cruz. In 1959 I graduated from San Jose State College and joined the City Police Force. I retired in 1989 with the rank of Captain. In 2001, my article, "Wrong Side of the Highway," was published in the book, "Una Storia Segreta: The Secret History of Italian American Evacuation and Internment during World War II" (Heyday Books). "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast),which covers my family's journey to and from the north coast, roughly covers the period between 1923 to 1983. It is my first book.
LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORHOUSE:
www.authorhouse.com, 1-888-280-7715. For further information visit the La Nostra Costa Website:
www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com